Overview
- The dispute centers on a city-enforced 10% amusement tax on ticket sales, which owners say they accept responsibility for while citing pandemic-era financial strain.
- HMAC’s owners say they offered a substantial partial payment and a structured plan to repay the balance but received no response from city leaders.
- City Solicitor Neil Grover describes the debt as significant and years old, alleging HMAC kept taxes paid by customers and noting additional delinquencies for trash and real estate taxes.
- Loss of health and mercantile licenses also jeopardizes renewal of the venue’s liquor license at month’s end, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
- Employees face lost wages as co-owner Chris Werner launches a GoFundMe that raised nearly $1,500, while supporters urged City Council to facilitate talks and upcoming shows were left in doubt.